FOOTBALL fans and businesses are being urged to follow a bathroom store’s example and get behind the Quakers for an all-star friendly match that could help safeguard the club’s future.

Bathroom World has agreed to sponsor the all-star side of players, who will take on Darlington’s 1999-2000 play-off squad for a fundraising friendly on May 3.

Among the players pulling on the all-stars shirt will be England legend Paul Gascoigne and Middlesbrough FC manager Gareth Southgate as well as Colin Cooper, Peter Beardsley, Kevin Ball and David Speedie.

The opposing play-off squad will also include five people who have successfully bid to play in the game.

Darlington MP Alan Milburn will start the all-stars game and former World Cup referee George Courtney will lead the team of officials.

The club has received a number of bids for the “pay to play” slots and the winning five will be announced the week before the match. It is hoped the day will help the club, which was placed in administration in February, out of financial difficulties.

Still up for grabs is the shirt sponsor package for the playoff team, which costs £1,500 plus vat, and includes the company name on the shirts and in the programme, an executive box for ten people with carvery meal, a signed shirt, tour of the ground and photo opportunities.

Other packages include the chance to be director or chairman for the day.

The club is also offering its usual sponsorship packages, including main match sponsor, man of the match sponsor, match ball sponsor, programme sponsor and mascots, as well as platinum packages and executive boxes for up to ten people.

On the day, there will be a fun fair at the Neasham Road ground, including a fun house and bouncy castle.

The club’s commercial director, Christine Balford, said she could not reveal what the highest bid was, but said some bids had been worth a few hundred pounds.

She said: “We have had a really good response and we’re hoping to get some more bids.

“I hope fans and communities far and wide will turn out in force for this game.

“So far the reaction has been really positive and we’ve had a huge number of people contact us regarding tickets and sponsorship opportunities.

“Fan groups have been superb and have kindly volunteered to help us organise and then run the day – we are hugely grateful for their support.

Even though there is much current speculation about the club, it is important to stress that we do need to continue to raise funds.”

Paul Abernethy, managing director of Bathroom World, said: “We really want to see the football club keep going – it would be a shame to lose it.”

Tickets, costing £10 for adults and £5 for children, are still available.

Anyone with a car park pass for regular matches, who needs a pass for the friendly all-stars game, is asked to contact the club before match day.

To get involved in sponsorship, or for tickets, call the club on 01325-387000.

Help Save The Quakers

All Stars Game at Darlington Football Club Sunday, May 3 - Kick-off 2pm Tickets £10 for adults, £5 for under-16s Shirt Sponsor: 1999/2000 Play off Team Executive box to entertain ten guests and two-course carvery meal for your party £1,500 Pay to play

The five highest bidders play against the all-stars, joining the team in the changing rooms for the team talk and guaranteed substantial appearances on the pitch. You will receive your own full kit with your name and be involved in the player presentations after the game. To place your bid, contact Christine Balford at the club as soon as possible. Four bids received.

Director for the day £90 per person

Experience being a club director with pre-match meal, director’s lounge access and director’s box seating.

Dress code applies.

Chairman for the Day for 2 people £250

Same as Director for the day but you get to take a guest

Main Match Sponsor for 20 people £1,500

Man of the Match Sponsor for ten people £750

Match Ball Sponsor for four people £300

Mascot (limited availability) £50v Platinum Lounge (two to ten people) £40 per person

Executive box for hire - which includes carvery (existing box holders have first refusal) for ten people £500

All prices are exclusive of VAT